Vehicle test system, test condition data generation apparatus, and vehicle test method

ABSTRACT

A vehicle test system according to the present invention intends to comprehensively manage and operate multiple types of test apparatuses to smoothly perform vehicle development, problem correction, and the like. For this purpose, the vehicle test system includes an actual running data acquisition apparatus that acquires actual running data that is data related to states inside and outside of a vehicle in running on a road; multiple types of test apparatuses each of which performs a drive test or an operation test of a vehicle or a part of the vehicle in accordance with set test conditions; and a test condition data generation apparatus that from the actual running data, generates test condition data indicating test conditions necessary to reproduce a part or all of the running states indicated by the actual running data in a test apparatus specified from among the multiple types of test apparatuses.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to JP Application No. 2014-103854,filed May 19, 2014, the disclosure of which is incorporated in itsentirety by reference herein.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a vehicle test system and the like fortesting a vehicle such as a car or part of the vehicle.

BACKGROUND ART

In order to develop vehicles and/or solve problems, various testapparatuses such as a chassis dynamometer for testing completed vehiclesand an engine dynamometer for examining engines themselves as parts ofvehicles have been used.

Such test apparatuses are adapted to be able to produce a simulated orvirtual load or environment supposed to be produced during an actual runand make the load or environment act on respective parts of a vehicle bysetting predetermined test conditions.

The load or environment can also be obtained by, for example, actuallyrunning a car on a road. Japanese Unexamined Patent PublicationJP-A2001-108580 describes that actual road gradients are measured whilerunning a car at the gradients, and test conditions making loadsequivalent to the measured gradients act on a vehicle are set in achassis dynamometer. Also, Japanese Patent No. 4173112 describes thattest conditions to be given to a brake dynamometer for testing vehiclebrakes are set on the basis of actual running data obtained through anactual test course run.

However, in any of the above-described configurations, every time thetype of a test apparatus is changed, test conditions suitable for achanged test apparatus should be calculated from actual running data, ora data format should be converted. That is, there exists a problem ofdifficulty to comprehensively manage and operate multiple types of testapparatuses for testing a vehicle and respective parts of the vehicle.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION Technical Problem

The present invention is made in consideration of such a problem, and amain object thereof is to comprehensively manage and operate multipletypes of test apparatuses for testing a vehicle and respective parts ofthe vehicle on the basis of actual running data, and smoothly performvehicle development, problem correction, and the like.

Solution to Problem

That is, a vehicle test system according to the present inventionincludes: an actual running data acquisition apparatus that acquiresactual running data that is data related to states inside and outside ofa vehicle in running on a road; multiple types of test apparatuses eachof which performs a drive test or an operation test of a vehicle or apart of the vehicle in accordance with a set test condition; and a testcondition data generation apparatus that from the actual running data,generates test condition data indicating a test condition necessary toreproduce a part or all of running states indicated by the actualrunning data in a test apparatus specified from among the multiple typesof test apparatuses.

Since the one test condition data generation apparatus generates piecesof test condition data for testing in the multiple types of testapparatuses, such a vehicle test system can comprehensively manage andoperate the multiple types of test apparatuses only by controlling thetest condition data generation apparatus. For this reason, various testsfor new vehicle development, problem correction, and the like can besmoothly performed.

Also, the test condition data generation apparatus generates testcondition data from actual running data, and therefore a state closer toan actual running state can be reproduced to increase the accuracy of atest.

As a specific embodiment of the vehicle test system according to thepresent invention, an embodiment in which the actual running dataacquisition apparatus transmits actual running data to the testcondition data generation apparatus in real time, and the test conditiondata generation apparatus is configured to transmit test condition datagenerated from the received actual running data to a predetermined testapparatus can be cited.

In such a configuration, since actual running data is transmitted to thetest condition data generation apparatus in real time, the testcondition data generation apparatus can also generate test conditiondata in real time to perform a test in a test apparatus in parallel toan actual run, and therefore a problem occurring at the time of theactual run can be immediately reproduced in the test apparatus, thusmaking it possible to quickly analyze the problem.

As another specific embodiment of the vehicle test system according tothe present invention, an embodiment in which the test condition datageneration apparatus selects actual running data necessary to reproducethe running states in the specified test apparatus, and generates thetest condition data from the selected actual running data can be cited.

In such a configuration, when the test condition data generationapparatus generates test condition data, unnecessary actual running datais not included, and therefore a time to process unnecessary actualrunning data can be shortened to smoothly generate test condition datacorresponding to each of the test apparatuses.

As still another embodiment of the vehicle test system according to thepresent invention, an embodiment in which the test condition datageneration apparatus includes a simulation preference order setting partthat specifies an actual running data content to be preferentiallysimulated among contents of actual running data, and generates the testcondition data from the actual running data content specified in thesimulation preference order setting part can be cited.

In such a configuration, test condition data corresponding to a user'sdesired content can be generated by the assistance of the simulationpreference order setting part. As a result, a wide variety of tests suchas tests in a failure reproduction mode and a specific running patternreproduction mode can be performed and a user-friendly system can beprovided.

Also, a test condition data generation apparatus of the presentinvention is one configured to be able to receive data from an actualrunning data acquisition apparatus that acquires actual running datathat is data related to running states inside and outside of a vehiclein running on a road, and from the actual running data, generates testcondition data indicating a test condition necessary to reproduce a partor all of the running states indicated by the actual running data in atest apparatus specified from among multiple types of test apparatuseseach of which performs a drive test or an operation test of a vehicle ora part of the vehicle in accordance with a set test condition.

That is, the test condition data generation apparatus of the presentinvention generates test condition data corresponding to each of thetest apparatuses from actual running data.

Further, a test condition data generation program of the presentinvention is one configured to be able to receive data from an actualrunning data acquisition apparatus that acquires actual running datathat is data related to running states inside and outside of a vehiclein running on a road, and from the actual running data, generates testcondition data indicating a test condition necessary to reproduce a partor all of the running states indicated by the actual running data in atest apparatus specified from among multiple types of test apparatuseseach of which performs a drive test or an operation test of a vehicle ora part of the vehicle in accordance with a set test condition.

Still further, a vehicle test method of the present invention is one inwhich

-   -   an actual running data acquisition apparatus acquires actual        running data that is data related to states inside and outside        of a vehicle in running on a road, and on the basis of the        actual running data, a test condition data generation apparatus        generates test condition data indicating a test condition        necessary to reproduce a part or all of running states indicated        by the actual running data in a test apparatus specified from        among multiple types of test apparatuses each of which performs        a drive test or an operation test of a vehicle or a part of the        vehicle in accordance with a set test condition.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The present invention configured as described can comprehensively manageand operate multiple types of test apparatuses to smoothly performvehicle development, problem correction, and the like.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a vehicle test system in thepresent embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating a test management apparatusin the present embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an image displayed on a display by a display output part inthe present embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an image displayed on the display by the display output partin the present embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an image displayed on the display by the display output partin the present embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an image displayed on the display by the display output partin the present embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an image displayed on the display by the display output partin the present embodiment; and

FIG. 8 is an image displayed on the display by the display output partin the present embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

One embodiment of the present invention will be described below withreference to drawings.

A vehicle test system 1 according to the present embodiment includes: anactual running data acquisition apparatus 2 adapted to acquire actualrunning data that is data related to states inside and outside of avehicle in running on a road; a test bench 3 adapted to test a vehicleand part of the vehicle; and a test management apparatus 4 adapted toset test conditions in the test bench 3 and perform test management, andis a comprehensive system used for new vehicle development, problemcorrection, and the like.

The respective parts are described.

The actual running data acquisition apparatus 2 is one that is mountedin, for example, a vehicle. Actual running data herein refers to dataindicating states inside and outside of a vehicle, of which in-vehiclestates include the following states.

(1) Operating states of a shift lever, accelerator pedal, brake pedal,clutch pedal, blinkers, and the like.

(2) Running states such as an engine rotational speed, vehicle speed,vehicle acceleration, wheel rotational speed, torque, engine oiltemperature, intake temperature, exhaust gas amount, exhaust gascomponents, exhaust gas temperature, catalyst temperature, fuelconsumption, coolant amount, coolant temperature, shaft angle, and tiretemperature, electric power balance, and battery state.

(3) OBD signals (i.e., abnormality information, vehicle information, andthe like), CAN signals (i.e., vehicle information, ECU information, TCUinformation, and other information).

On the other hand, out-vehicle states include the following states.

(4) Weather (outside temperature, outside pressure, rain or shine, windspeed, and the like), road surface temperature, road surface states(wet, dry, ice, asphalt, gravel, and the like), external image,in-vehicle image, road gradients, position, traveling wind, and thelike.

In addition, in-vehicle states of hybrid vehicles and electric vehiclesinclude the following states.

(5) State of charge (SOC), current flowing from a battery to a motorand/or voltage between the battery and the motor, battery temperature,motor temperature, inverter temperature, battery power, motor torqueand/or rotation speed, and the like.

To measure the above-described in-vehicle and out-vehicle states, forexample, two types of actual running data acquisition apparatuses 2 areprovided here.

One of them is an in-vehicle exhaust gas analysis apparatus 2 a thattakes in exhaust gas from a vehicle in running on a road to measure thecomponents and amount of the exhaust gas and calculate a fuelconsumption. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the exhaust gas analysisapparatus 2 a includes: a hose 21 adapted to take in part of the exhaustgas from the tail pipe of the vehicle; and an analysis apparatus body 22adapted to analyze the exhaust gas taken in through the hose 21 tomeasure the amounts (or concentrations) of components contained in theexhaust gas, such as CO, CO₂, H₂O, NO_(x), THC, and PM.

The other one is a running measurement apparatus 2 b attached to thevehicle. The running measurement apparatus 2 b includes an unillustratedGPS receiver, imager, vehicle information acquirer, G sensor, and thelike, and thereby adapted to be able to detect: from the GPS receiver, avehicle position; from the imager, external images as viewed through thewindshield and/or the rear window, and various types of information(such as rain or shine, and road surface states) detectable from theexternal images; from the vehicle information acquirer, various piecesof information (such as an engine rotation speed, vehicle speed, vehicleacceleration, wheel rotation speed, torque, engine oil temperature,intake temperature, outside temperature, outside pressure, and windspeed) from various types of sensors and the like attached to thevehicle, OBD signals from the vehicle, electric power balance from apower analyzer, and a battery state from an HCU; from the G sensor,vehicle acceleration; and the like. In addition, various sensors adaptedto detect in-vehicle and out-vehicle states may be provided.

The test bench 3 is one that is installed, for example, inside a room.The test bench 3 here includes multiple types of test apparatuses suchas a chassis test apparatus 3 a, a drivetrain test apparatus 3 b, and anengine test apparatus 3 c.

The chassis test apparatus 3 a is an apparatus for testing completedvehicles, and adapted to include: a chassis dynamometer 32 on which avehicle 3 a 1 is mounted; an automatic driving robot 31 (automaticactuator) that drives the vehicle 3 a 1 on the chassis dynamometer 32;and an automatic driving unit 33 that receives test condition data in apredetermined format for running the vehicle 3 a 1 in a simulatedmanner, and in accordance with test conditions indicated by the testcondition data, controls the chassis dynamometer 32 and the automaticdriving robot 31. Note that the chassis test apparatus 3 a in thisembodiment also includes an unillustrated temperature controller,pressure controller, and a vehicle speed fan, and is adapted to be ableto control outside temperature, outside pressure, wind speed while thevehicle 3 a 1 is running, and the like by instructions from theautomatic driving unit 33.

The drivetrain test apparatus 3 b is an apparatus for testing drivetraincomponents 3 b 1 of a vehicle (such as a clutch, torque converter,transmission, and powertrain), and adapted to include: for example, avirtual engine dynamometer 34 that simulates an engine; and a controller35 that receives test condition data in a predetermined format, and inaccordance with test conditions indicated by the test condition data,controls the virtual engine dynamometer 34. In addition, the drivetraintest apparatus 3 b is adapted to be able to make simulated loads,vibrations, and the like act on the drivetrain components 3 b 1 byconnecting the drivetrain components 3 b 1 to the virtual enginedynamometer 34.

The engine test apparatus 3 c is an apparatus for testing an engine 36,and adapted to include: an engine dynamometer 37 that simulatescomponents to be connected to the engine 36; a throttle actuator 38 thatdrives a throttle of the engine 36; and an EG controller 39 thatreceives test condition data in a predetermined format and in accordancewith test conditions indicated by the test condition data, controls theengine dynamometer 37 and the throttle actuator 38. In addition, as thethrottle actuator 38 described above, for example, an actuator of anelectronic control type can be used.

Further, the test bench 3 in this embodiment includes exhaust gasanalyzers 30 (30 a and 30 b). The exhaust gas analyzers 30 are ones thatcan measure the amounts (or concentrations) of components contained inexhaust gas, such as CO, CO₂, H₂O, NO_(x), THC, and PM, and here adaptedto be able to measure exhaust gas from a vehicle mounted on the chassisdynamometer 31 and exhaust gas from the engine 36 connected to theengine dynamometer 37.

The test management apparatus 4 is one that transmits corresponding testcondition data to each of the test apparatuses 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c, andmanages the content, timing, and the like of operation of the testapparatus 3 a (3 b or 3 c), and here adapted to be able to manageoperation timings of the exhaust gas analyzers 30 in synchronizationwith the operation timing of the test apparatus 3 a (3 b or 3 c).

Further, in the present embodiment, the test management apparatus 4 isadapted to carry a function as a test condition data generationapparatus that acquires the actual running data from the actual runningdata acquisition apparatus 2, and from the actual running data,generates test condition data indicating test conditions necessary toreproduce/simulate part or all of running states indicated by the actualrunning data.

Note that the test conditions include, for example, following contents.

-   -   Running pattern analysis    -   Reproduction of a failure mode    -   Reproduction of a driver by an automatic driving system    -   Reproduction of on-road loads by the chassis test apparatus 3 a        or the drivetrain test apparatus 3 b    -   Advance evaluation in new vehicle development    -   Reproduction of vehicle states in an environmental bench or a        temperature control apparatus    -   Measurement of states unmeasurable on a road by the test        apparatuses 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c

(For example, the in-vehicle exhaust gas analysis apparatus cannotperform measurement at high altitude, but by reproducing actual roadstates using a low-temperature low-pressure bench, can measure exhaustgas data.)

-   -   CAT (catalyst) temperature control in the engine test apparatus        3 c    -   LLC (coolant) temperature control in the engine test apparatus 3        c    -   Oil temperature control in the engine test apparatus 3 c    -   Intake air temperature control in the engine test apparatus 3 c

Next, the test management apparatus 4 is described in detail.

As illustrated in FIG. 2, the test management apparatus 4 is configuredto include: a computer body 4 a having a CPU, a memory 48, an A/Dconverter, a D/A converter, a communication port, and the like; inputmeans connected to the computer body, such as a keyboard and a mouse;and a display.

In addition, by installing a predetermined program in the memory 48, thetest management apparatus 4 carries functions as an actual running datareception part 41, a test condition data generation part 44, a testapparatus specifying part 42, a simulation preference order setting part43, a schedule setting part 45, a test result data reception part 46, adisplay output part 47, and the like.

The respective parts are described.

The actual running data reception part 41 is one that receives actualrunning data acquired by the actual running data acquisition apparatus 2and stores the actual running data in a predetermined area of the memory48. In addition, in this embodiment, the actual running data istransmitted from the actual running data acquisition apparatus 2 mountedin a vehicle in test running on a road to a dedicated server wirelesslyvia the Internet or a dedicated line, and then transmitted from thededicated server to the actual running data reception part 41 in realtime. Note that the real time refers to a state where pieces of data aresuccessively transmitted from the dedicated server, and a state wheresome delay occurs in timing when data is transmitted from the dedicatedserver to the actual running data reception part 41 is also included inthe real time transmission state. In addition, in some cases, actualrunning data is not transmitted in real time, but may be stored in aportable recording medium such as a USB or a hard disk and received bythe actual running data reception part 41.

The test apparatus specifying part 42 is one that specifies one or moreof the test apparatuses 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c (including the exhaust gasanalyzers) to be used for testing by, for example, receiving selectioninput by an operator. A test object is different among the testapparatuses 3 a, 3 b and 3 c, and therefore test condition datanecessary for testing is also different among the test apparatuses 3 a,3 b, and 3 c. For this reason, the respective test apparatuses 3 a, 3 b,and 3 c, and the exhaust gas analyzers 30 are registered in the memory48 with identifiers thereof related to the contents and formats ofpieces of corresponding test condition data. Further, the presentembodiment is configured to, when selectively inputting some of the testapparatuses 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c (and the exhaust gas analyzers 30),display symbols indicating the registered test apparatuses 3 a, 3 b, and3 c (and the exhaust gas analyzers 30) on a screen and only selectdesired symbols. In addition, the present embodiment is adapted to beable to register a new test apparatus together with the contents andformat of corresponding test condition data, and also delete an alreadyregistered test apparatus.

The simulation preference order setting part 43 is one that throughoperator's input or the like, specifies which content among contents ofactual running data is preferentially simulated. For example, in thecase of the chassis test apparatus 3 a, a load by the chassisdynamometer 32 cannot necessarily strictly reproduce a load on a road,and therefore it is necessary to preferentially reproduce any of amongthe contents of the actual running data, for example, an acceleratoropening degree, vehicle speed, engine rotation speed, tire speed, rollerspeed, and tire shaft (torque). Which of them is given preference shouldbe determined by an operator although different depending on whether thepurpose is development or problem correction. Also, depending on a testapparatus or test content, preference order may be automaticallydetermined without determination by an operator, and in such a case, thesimulation preference order setting part 43 automatically sets thepreference order.

The test condition data generation part 44 is one that generates testcondition data necessary to simulate a running mode indicated by actualrunning data, and generates test condition data corresponding to theformat of each of the test apparatuses 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c.

In the present embodiment, the test condition data generation part 44generates test condition data corresponding to a test apparatus 3 a (3 bor 3 c) specified by the test apparatus specifying part 42, as well asgenerating the test condition data on the basis of a content givenpreference by the simulation preference order setting part 43.Specifically, when the test apparatus specifying part 42 specifies thechassis test apparatus 3 s, the test condition data generation part 44acquires the contents, format, and the like of test condition datarelated to the chassis test apparatus 3 a from the memory 48.

Then, when the simulation preference order setting part 43 specifies,for example, vehicle speed among the contents of the test condition datarelated to the chassis test apparatus 3 a, the test condition datageneration part 44 receives the content, and to generate test conditiondata in which the vehicle speed is given preference, acquires necessaryactual running data from the memory 48, followed by generating the testcondition data to transmit it to the automatic driving unit 33 of thechassis test apparatus 3 a. When doing this, the test condition datageneration part 44 generates the test condition data in accordance withthe format of the chassis test apparatus 3 a acquired from the memory48.

The schedule setting part 45 is one that sets a time schedule from thestart of a test to the end of the test, and in the present embodiment,receives test apparatus data from the test apparatus specifying part 42as well as receiving test condition data generated by the test conditiondata generation part 44 to set a time schedule from the start of a testto the end of the test. After that, the schedule setting part 45transmits set schedule data to a test apparatus 3 a (3 b or 3 c)specified by the test apparatus specifying part 42.

For example, in the case of desiring to reproduce the same temperatureand humidity as those at the time of an actual run in the chassis testapparatus 3 a, it is necessary to set the temperature and humidity of aroom where the chassis test apparatus 3 a is installed to predeterminedvalues at the start of the test. For this purpose, the schedule settingpart 45 incorporates contents to be reproduced, such as room temperatureand pressure, in a schedule.

The test result data reception part 46 is one that receives test resultdata that is data indicating a test result transmitted from each of thetest apparatuses 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c. The test result data is dataincluding contents such as an engine rotation speed, wheel rotationspeed, torque, engine oil temperature, intake temperature, exhaust gasamount, exhaust gas components, exhaust gas temperature, catalysttemperature, fuel consumption, coolant temperature, shaft torque, andtire temperature obtained in each of the test apparatuses 3 a, 3 b, and3 c, and these data contents are appropriately detected by sensors andthe like provided in the test apparatus 3 a, 3 b, or 3 c. The receivedtest result data is stored in a predetermined area of the memory 48. Inaddition, test result data can also be synchronized with actual runningdata.

The display output part 47 is one that acquires predetermined actualrunning data or test result data from the memory 48, as well asdisplaying it on the display or the like.

FIG. 3 is an example of an image displayed on the display by the displayoutput part 47. As illustrated in FIG. 3, the image G1 includes: a teststate display part L1 that displays a test state of the chassis testapparatus 3 a at predetermined time; and a graph display part L2 thatdisplays pieces of information accumulated with time in a graph format.In the image G1, the test state display part L1 includes display partsand the like adapted to display an engine speed, vehicle speed, torque,brake state, shift lever state, and the like. Also, the graph displaypart L2 displays a graph showing changes of vehicle speed, throttle,brake, and gear with time, as well as displaying a graph showing changesof exhaust gas (CO, CO₂, NO, NO_(x), and the like) with time acquiredfrom the exhaust gas analyzers 30.

Further, as contents to be displayed in the test state display part L1and the graph display part L2, exhaust gas data, gradient, vehiclespeed, torque, rotation speed, EG state, various temperatures, and thelike are displayed.

In addition, the display output part 47 is also one that acquirespredetermined actual running data and test result data from the memory48, as well as synchronizing these pieces of data with each other tooutput them comparably.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of the output. FIG. 4 is an example of animage displayed on the display by the display output part 47. As theimage G2 illustrates, a table L3 that lists exhaust gas concentrationsanalyzed by the analysis apparatus body 22 at the time of an actual runand is indicated by “Analysis apparatus body 22 data”, and a table L4that lists exhaust gas concentrations analyzed by the exhaust gasanalyzer 30 a at the time of the test in the chassis test apparatus 3 aand is indicated by “Exhaust gas analyzers 30 data” are displayed on theleft side of the screen. The table L3 and the table L4 are synchronizedwith each other in terms of running time from the start of the run.

Also, on the right side of the screen, a graph L5 indicating a vehiclespeed, and a graph L6 indicating CO and CO₂ concentrations aredisplayed. In the graph L5, a curve indicated by “Target vehicle speed”represents a vehicle speed at the time of the actual run, and a curveindicated by “Simulated vehicle speed” represents a vehicle speed at thetime of the test in the chassis test apparatus 3 a. In addition,throttle and torque test results tested in the chassis test apparatus 3a are displayed. In the graph L5, the target vehicle speed, simulatedvehicle speed, throttle, and torque are displayed in synchronizationwith one another in terms of running time from the start of the run. Inaddition, in the graph L6, the displayed exhaust gas concentrations (CO,CO₂, NO, NO_(x), and the like) are ones obtained during the test in thechassis test apparatus 3 a.

Further, this embodiment is adapted to be able to acquire actual runningdata and/or test result data from the memory 48 as well as acquiringimaging data on an external image and/or map data on a vehicle runningposition to simultaneously display these pieces of data on the samescreen in synchronization with each other.

FIGS. 5 and 6 illustrate examples of the simultaneous display,respectively. FIGS. 5 and 6 are examples of an image displayed on thedisplay by the display output part 47. As the image G3 or G4illustrates, imaging data M1 at the time of an actual run, map data M2indicating a position where the imaging data M1 was imaged, aninformation display part M4 displaying time of the actual run, thelatitude and longitude of the position, and running speed, and a graphM3 indicating a time change in speed at the time of the actual run arecollectively displayed on a screen G2. In addition, as the image G4illustrates, in the map data M2, a locus along which a vehicle has runis displayed. Also, in the graph M3, exhaust gas data may be displayedin addition to running data. Further, the graph M3 can individually orsimultaneously display actual running data (exhaust gas data) at thetime of an actual run and/or test result data (exhaust gas data) in atest apparatus.

Note that the imaging data M1, pieces of information such as time of theactual run, the latitude and longitude of a position, and running speeddisplayed in the information display part M4, and the graph M3 aresynchronized with one another in terms of running time from the start ofthe run.

Operation of the above-described test management apparatus 4 isdescribed below.

First, the actual running data reception part 41 receives actual runningdata transmitted from the actual running data acquisition apparatus, andstores the actual running data in the predetermined area of the memory48.

Then, on a test apparatus specifying screen displayed on the display ofthe test management apparatus 4, an operator specifies a test apparatus3 a, 3 b, or 3 c used for testing. For descriptive convenience, it ishere assumed that the chassis test apparatus 3 a is specified. Note thatthe number of test apparatuses to be specified is not limited to one,but may be multiple.

The test apparatus specifying part 42 transmits specified test apparatusdata indicating the test apparatus specified upon receipt of an inputsignal by the operator to the test condition data generation part 44 andthe schedule setting part 45. At this time, the chassis test apparatus 3a is registered in the memory 48 with the identifier thereof related tothe contents and format of corresponding test condition data, and thecontents and format of the test condition data of the specified chassistest apparatus 3 a are also transmitted to the test condition datageneration part 44 and the schedule setting part 45.

On the other hand, the operator selects a preferential test content on apreference order setting screen displayed on the display of the testmanagement apparatus 4.

The simulation preference order setting part 43 receives an input signalby the operator, and transmits preferential data indicating the selectedpreferential test content to the test condition data generation part 44.

The test condition data generation part 44 receives the specified testapparatus data transmitted from the test apparatus specifying part 42and the preferential data transmitted from the simulation preferenceorder setting part 43, and acquires predetermined actual running datafrom the memory 48 to generate test condition data on the basis of theactual running data.

Then, the test condition data generation part 44 converts the generatedtest condition data into a predetermined format and transmits theconverted test condition data to the chassis test apparatus 3 a.

On the other hand, the schedule setting part 45 also sets a schedulecorresponding to the test apparatus on the basis of the specified testapparatus data transmitted from the test apparatus specifying part 42and the test condition data generated by the test condition datageneration part 44, and transmits information on the schedule to thechassis test apparatus 3 a.

The chassis test apparatus 3 a performs the test on the basis of thetest condition data generated by the test condition data generation part44 and the schedule information set by the schedule setting part 45, andtransmits test result data indicating a result of the test to the testresult data reception part 46.

Upon receipt of the test result data, the test result data receptionpart 46 stores the test result data in the predetermined area of thememory 48.

Then, the display output part 47 displays the test result data on thedisplay, as well as on the basis of an input method selected by theoperator on an input method selection screen, comparably outputting thetest result data and the actual running data, or pieces of test resultdata in synchronization with each other, or outputting imaging data onan external image or a vehicle running position, and the test resultdata and/or the actual running data on the same screen in mutualsynchronization.

The present embodiment configured as described produces the followingspecial effects.

Since the one test management apparatus 4 generates pieces of testcondition data for performing the tests in the multiple types of testapparatuses 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c, the multiple types of test apparatuses 3a, 3 b, and 3 c can be comprehensively managed and operated only bycontrolling the test management apparatus 4. For this reason, varioustests for new vehicle development, problem correction, and the like canbe smoothly performed.

Also, the test management apparatus 4 generates test condition data fromactual running data, and therefore a state closer to an actual runningstate can be reproduced to increase the accuracy of a test.

Since actual running data is transmitted to the test managementapparatus 4 in real time, the test management apparatus 4 can alsogenerate pieces of test condition data in almost real time, andtherefore the tests can be performed in the test apparatuses 3 a, 3 b,and 3 c in almost parallel to an actual run. As a result, a problemoccurring during the actual run can be immediately reproduced in thetest apparatuses 3 a, 3 b, and 3 c, thus making it possible to quicklyanalyze the problem.

The test management apparatus 4 selects actual running data necessary toreproduce a running state in a specified test apparatus, and generatestest condition data from the selected actual running data. Specifically,an identifier of each of the test apparatuses and exhaust gas analyzersis registered in the memory 48 in relation to the contents and format ofcorresponding test condition data, and therefore only by specifying atest apparatus in the test apparatus specifying part 42, the testcondition data generation part 44 can acquire the contents and format oftest condition data related to the specified test apparatus from thememory 48.

For this reason, the test condition data generation part 44 can acquireonly actual running data corresponding to contents of the acquired testcondition data from the memory 48 to generate test condition data, andthereby shorten a time to process unnecessary data to smoothly generatetest condition data corresponding to each of the test apparatuses.

Also, the test management apparatus 4 includes a simulation preferenceorder setting part 43 adapted to specify an actual running data contentto be preferentially simulated from among the contents of actual runningdata, and generates test condition data from the actual running datacontent specified in the simulation preference order setting part 43. Asa result, test condition data corresponding to a user's desired contentcan be generated by the assistance of the simulation preference ordersetting part 43. For this reason, various tests such as tests in afailure reproduction mode and a specific running pattern reproductionmode can be performed, and a user-friendly system can be provided.

Since the display output part 47 comparably outputs test result data andactual running data, or pieces of test condition data, these pieces ofdata can be easily compared with each other to examine whether or not anactual run can be reproduced in a test apparatus 3 a, 3 b, or 3 c, orconfirm whether or not a test is successfully performed in a testapparatus 3 a, 3 b, or 3 c. Also, by comparing pieces of data with eachother, unprecedented new knowledge can be obtained. In addition, in thecase where there is a discrepancy between actual running data and testresult data, the extent of the discrepancy can be easily grasped.

Also, the display output part 47 comparably outputs test result data andactual running data, or pieces of test result data in synchronizationwith each other, and therefore both of them can be more easily compared.

In addition, since the display output part 47 displays imaging data andat least any one of test result data and actual running data on the samescreen, a running environment, a driving situation, and the like at thetime of an actual run can be known through the imaging data. As aresult, in the case where a problem occurs in the test result data orthe actual running data, the cause of the problem can be easily foundout from the running environment or the driving situation at the time ofthe actual run.

Also, data can be analyzed while acquiring pieces of running informationsuch as a running environment and a driving situation, and therefore thedata can be more easily analyzed.

Since imaging data and at least any one of test result data and actualrunning data are displayed on the same screen in synchronization witheach other, imaging data just at the time when a problem occurs in theactual running data and/or the test result data is displayed on the samescreen. For this reason, a user can more easily find out the problemcaused by a running environment.

Also, when testing a newly developed vehicle, a vehicle having animproved body, engine, and/or the like, or vehicles of different models,by using preliminarily generated test condition data, the vehicle testsystem can easily confirm whether or not a test is appropriate, measureexhaust gas, an engine, and/or the like, and have prior confirmation orthe like before a road run without newly acquiring actual running data.

Besides, the present invention is not limited to the above-describedembodiment.

For example, in the above-described embodiment, the test bench includesthe chassis test apparatus, drivetrain test apparatus, and engine testapparatus, but can also include, in addition to these apparatuses, abrake dynamometer, a tire tester, a biaxial or triaxial drivetrain testapparatus, and the like.

Also, actual running data acquired by the actual running dataacquisition apparatus is not limited to the above-described one as longas the data includes pieces of information obtained from inside and/oroutside a vehicle.

Synchronization by the above-described display output part is performednot only in terms of time but may also be performed in terms of a timeinterval at which a unit or data is acquired, positional information, orthe like. As an example of this, for example, the actual running datareception part does not make assignment to time data when receivingactual running data, but is configured to make assignment to positionalinformation transmitted as part of the same actual running data to storeit in the memory.

Such a configuration makes it possible for the display output part toacquire actual running data from the memory as well as acquiring actualrunning data on an external image or a vehicle running position, andsynchronize these pieces of data in terms of positional information todisplay them on the same screen.

In addition, the display output part may be adapted to comparablydisplay multiple pieces of data.

Examples of this include an display output part adapted to comparablydisplay three pieces of exhaust gas data C1, C2, and C3 on a screen, forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 7, exhaust gas data C1 as a result ofanalysis by an in-vehicle exhaust gas analyzer at the time of an actualrun (in the diagram, indicated by “Actual running data”), exhaust gasdata C2 as a result of analysis by an out-vehicle exhaust gas analyzerin the chassis test apparatus (indicated by “Test result data 1”), andexhaust gas data C3 as a result of analysis by an in-vehicle exhaust gasanalyzer installed outside a vehicle in the same chassis test apparatus(indicated by “Test result data 2”).

Such a configuration makes it possible to clarify the difference inmeasured value between the actual run and the test apparatus bycomparing the pieces of exhaust gas data C1 and C2 respectively obtainedwhen using the same in-vehicle exhaust gas analyzers to perform theexhaust gas analysis at the time of the actual run and to perform theexhaust gas analysis in the chassis test apparatus. Also, by comparingthe pieces of exhaust gas data C2 and C3 respectively obtained whenusing the same chassis test apparatus to perform the exhaust gasanalysis by the in-vehicle exhaust gas analyzer and to perform theexhaust gas analysis by the out-vehicle exhaust gas analyzer, thedifference in measured value between the out-vehicle exhaust gasanalyzer and the in-vehicle exhaust gas analyzer can be clarified,making it possible to perform analysis from various viewpoints.

Note that in FIG. 7, the pieces of data are displayed in a table format,but may be displayed using, for example, graphs or the like. Also, twoof the pieces of exhaust gas data may be displayed. In addition, thepieces of exhaust gas data may be comparably outputted.

Further, in the case of displaying imaging data, the present inventionmay be configured to display actual running data including, for example,vehicle speed, exhaust gas, and the like at the time of an actual run,and imaging data at the time of the actual run, test result dataincluding, for example, vehicle speed, exhaust gas, and the like in atest apparatus, and the imaging data at the time of the actual run, orthe actual running data, test apparatus data, and imaging data.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the present invention may beconfigured to display two images on the same screen, i.e., an image inwhich imaging data at the time of an actual run and actual running dataare synchronized with each other, and an image indicating test resultdata. Note that the above-described embodiment is adapted to displayimaging data and map data on the same screen, but may be adapted todisplay any of them in an image.

Further, although the above-described screen G2 comparably displays theactual running data including the exhaust gas concentrations and thevehicle speed, and the test result data in the chassis test apparatus,display contents are not limited to the exhaust gas concentrations orvehicle speed, but may include, for example, brake torque, enginerotation speed, and the like. In addition, a display format of them canbe appropriately changed to a graph format, a table format, or the otherformat. Further, a test apparatus is not limited to the chassis testapparatus. Still further, objects to be comparably displayed are notlimited to the actual running data or the test result data, but may bepieces of test result data obtained using different test apparatuses.

Note that the different test apparatuses in the present invention alsoinclude the case where in the same test apparatus, different types ofexhaust gas analyzers are provided, in addition to the case where thetest apparatuses themselves are different.

It should be appreciated that the present invention can be variouslymodified without departing from the scope thereof.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

-   1: Vehicle test system-   2: Actual running data acquisition apparatus-   3: Test bench-   4: Test management apparatus (test condition data generation    apparatus)

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle test system comprising: an actual running data acquisition apparatus that acquires actual running data related to states inside and outside of a vehicle running on a road; multiple types of test apparatuses each of which includes a dynamometer, and performs a drive test or an operation test of a vehicle or a part of the vehicle in accordance with a test condition; and a test condition data generation apparatus adapted to generate, from the actual running data, test condition data indicating the test condition for reproducing a part or all of running states indicated by the actual running data, and performs a drive test or an operation test of a vehicle or a part of the vehicle in accordance with a set test condition, wherein the test condition data generation apparatus comprises a simulation preference order setting part adapted to specify actual running data content to be preferentially simulated among contents of actual running data, a test apparatus specifying part adapted to specify one or more of the dynamometers by receiving input, and a test condition data generation part adapted to generate the test condition data from the actual running data content specified in the simulation preference order setting part, and to transmit the test condition data to one or more of the dynamometers specified in the test apparatus specifying part.
 2. The vehicle test system according to claim 1, wherein the actual running data acquisition apparatus transmits the actual running data to the test condition data generation apparatus in real time, and the test condition data generation apparatus is configured to transmit the test condition data to the multiple types of test apparatuses specified by the test apparatus specifying part.
 3. A test condition data generation apparatus configured to receive data from an actual running data acquisition apparatus that acquires actual running data related to running states inside and outside of a vehicle running on a road, the test condition data generation apparatus generating, from the actual running data, test condition data indicating a test condition for reproducing a part or all of the running states indicated by the actual running data in a test apparatus specified from among multiple types of test apparatuses each of which comprises a dynamometer, and performs a drive test or an operation test of a vehicle or a part of the vehicle in accordance with the test condition, wherein the test condition data generation apparatus comprises a simulation preference order setting part adapted to specify actual running data content to be preferentially simulated among contents of actual running data, a test apparatus specifying part adapted to specify one or more of the dynamometers by receiving input, and a test condition data generation part adapted to generate the test condition data from the actual running data content specified in the simulation preference order setting part, and to transmit the test condition data to one or more of the dynamometers specified in the test apparatus specifying part.
 4. A vehicle test method comprising: acquiring actual running data related to states inside and outside of a vehicle running on a road, wherein the actual running data includes dependent contents that are dependent on each other; generating on a basis of the actual running data, test condition data indicating a test condition for reproducing a part or all of running states indicated by the actual running data in a test apparatus specified from among multiple types of test apparatuses each of which comprises a dynamometer, and performs a drive test or an operation test of a vehicle or a part of the vehicle in accordance with the test condition; specifying one or more of the dynamometers by receiving input; specifying actual running data content to be preferentially simulated among contents of actual running data; generating the test condition data from the actual running data content specified; and transmitting the test condition data to one or more of the specified dynamometers. 